117th AES Convention Offers More Surround

John Strawn, Chairman of the 117th AES Convention has announced a day-long convention event devoted exclusively to live multi-channel surround.

Scheduled for Wednesday, October 27, 10:00 am 6:00 pm, the Symposium will be held in the Julia Morgan Ballroom of the Merchants Exchange Building, 465 California Street. ?Not since the introduction of the Compact Disk has a new sound recording format made so dramatic an impact on the industry, Strawn says. ?Symposium Chair Fredrick J.Ampel of Technology Visions has developed an outstanding panel which will explore the many facets contributing to Surrounds on-going technological and commercial success.

SURROUND LIVE II MORE SURROUND! Panelists: David Claringbold, Sydney Opera House, Australia; Kurt Graffy, Arup Acoustics Dave Haydon, Outboard Electronics; Randy Hoffner, ABC Television; Mark Hood, Echo Park Studios, Bloomington IN; Jonathan Laney-Talaske, Chicago, IL.; Michael Leahy, EGR Software and Riccardo Mazza, School of High Musical Specialization, Saluzzo, Italy will participate in the interactive workshop. The event is a continuation of a popular AES Surround Live event held for the first time at the 2003 Convention in NYC.

The workshop brings together working professionals from the performance, Broadway theater, broadcast, environmental audio, fine arts and related technology sectors to discuss the issues and technological challenges created by presenting music, drama, art and cultural exhibitions in full multichannel surround formats. Combining formal presentations with live/pre-recorded performances, attendees will experience the process of creating and presenting multi-channel audio for a variety of live applications. ?A primary theme of the event is the exploration of how immersing an audience in the sound field and keeping them closer to the sound system can enhance the experience for both audience members and performers, said Symposium Chair, Frederick J. Ampel.

About the Audio Engineering SocietyFormed in 1948 by a group of concerned audio engineers, the Audio Engineering Society counts over 12,000 members throughout the U.S., Latin America, Europe, Japan and the Far East. The AES serves as the pivotal force in the exchange and dissemination of technical information for the industry.